Sánchez demands accountability after U.S. citizen detained in immigration raid in her district
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today called on the Trump administration to explain why Adrian Martinez, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen and her constituent, was detained by federal immigration officials during an apparently illegal raid yesterday at a Walmart in her district.
The congresswoman has been working with the Martinez family to locate Adrian, connect him with his parents and determine why he is being detained by federal officials.
“I am deeply troubled that a U.S. citizen, who supports his family by working at Walmart, and is, by all accounts, an upstanding member of his community, continues to be detained by the federal government,” Congresswoman Sánchez wrote. “Furthermore, upon learning more details of the raid and others occurring throughout Los Angeles, I am deeply concerned that the specific immigration raid that took place at this Walmart seems to be in violation of 42 U.S. Code § 1985, which states that targeting workers on the basis of their race, as well as subsequent use of excessive force, is a blatant violation of their civil rights.”
Full text of the letter is available here and follows:
June 18, 2025
The Honorable Kristi Noem
Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528
Mr. Todd M. Lyons
Acting Director
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Washington, D.C. 20024
The Honorable Pam Bondi
Attorney General
Department of Justice
Washington, D.C. 20530
Dear Secretary Noem, Acting Director Lyons, and Attorney General Bondi,
I write with grave concern regarding the arrest and detention of my constituent, Adrian Andrew Martinez, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen.
On Tuesday, June 17, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents conducted numerous immigration enforcement actions throughout Los Angeles County, including in one of the cities that I represent – Pico Rivera. During an immigration raid at the Walmart located at 8500 Washington Blvd., CBP and ICE agents violently arrested Mr. Martinez, who was exercising his lawful right to observe the conduct of immigration enforcement personnel.
I am deeply troubled that a U.S. citizen, who supports his family by working at Walmart, and is, by all accounts, an upstanding member of his community, continues to be detained by the federal government. Furthermore, upon learning more details of the raid and others occurring throughout Los Angeles, I am deeply concerned that the specific immigration raid that took place at this Walmart seems to be in violation of 42 U.S. Code § 1985, which states that targeting workers on the basis of their race, as well as subsequent use of excessive force, is a blatant violation of their civil rights.
I have a constitutional duty to conduct oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of Justice. These agencies are responsible in part for ensuring that the rights of American citizens are upheld. As such, I demand complete and comprehensive responses to the following requests regarding this incident by Friday, June 20, 2025:
- I request that the Department of Justice state the legal authority under which Mr. Martinez is currently being detained.
- Did Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) obtain an administrative warrant prior to engaging in immigration enforcement at the Pico Rivera Towne Center where Walmart is located?
- Please provide the initial planning documents detailing why ICE targeted that specific Walmart, as well as information detailing who was targeted, and upon what basis they were targeted.
- I request that the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice undertake a review to determine which federal agencies and personnel were involved in the actions that resulted in the violent arrest and unconstitutional detention of Mr. Martinez and what disciplinary actions may be necessary for relevant federal personnel.
As a Member of Congress, my constituents elected me to conduct oversight duties and ensure that the federal government follows the law and remains accountable. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to a timely response.
Sincerely,
Linda T. Sánchez
Member of Congress
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